CALVARY PANDAN weapons of mass destruction to -PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH accelerate their own doom. However, the days of were DHW BIBLE CLASS different. The behaviour and conduct of the superpowers in the Middle LESSON 20 Eastern regions played a part in the THE struggle and discipline of the nation of CHAPTER 20 , especially prior to the first coming of Jesus Christ. ,

and were three such nations. Theme: “How the Mighty will Fall!” Isaiah 20 reveals the political intrigues of these three nations where Assyria was then the superpower and Egypt THEME VERSE was in the decline in her influence. Isaiah 20:3-4 (KJV) “And the LORD The rise and fall of these Middle said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath Eastern superpowers will affect Israel walked naked and barefoot three years in ways that have eternal for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and consequences. The rise of Assyria will upon Ethiopia; So shall the king of be followed by the Babylonians and Assyria lead away the Egyptians then the Greeks, and finally the prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, Romans. All of these superpowers are young and old, naked and barefoot, nothing but pawns in the Master’s even with their buttocks uncovered, to hand. He will do with them what He the shame of Egypt.” deems best to accomplish His sovereign plan of salvation for INTRODUCTION mankind through Jesus Christ, His anointed Saviour of the whole world. Nation fighting against nation is Isaiah 20 describes a very unique the perennial norm of man’s history. episode in Isaiah’s life where he was This will never change. Sinful man will commanded by the LORD to reveal never learn from his own history and God’s will to them by way of a very grievous mistakes. Thousands of lives humiliating life demonstration. The will continuously be lost due to these length that a prophet of the LORD has wars. Wars are fought and will to go through to send a message is continue to be fought to satisfy the remarkable! insatiable appetites of tyrants. These warmongers breed more warmongers. OUTLINE They praise one another over their conquests of weaker nations. 1. The Assyrians come (v.1); Superpowers today are merely 2. Isaiah’s naked revelation (v. 2); following in the footsteps of past dictators. This only gets worse with 3. Egypt and Ethiopia will be time as sinful men have created naked (vv. 3-6); DHW LESSON 20 ISAIAH 20

COMMENTARY fate of the Egyptians on whom they The Assyrians Come were placing their reliance (v. 4). By The following event of Isaiah's showing the Jews what would be the revelation from the LORD came in the destiny of Egypt, he planned to stop year when Tartan came to capture them from relying on Egypt, and to turn , one of the fortified cities of the back to God for protection and aid. Philistines located on the shores of the “In the year that Tartan came Mediterranean Sea. Tartan was sent unto Ashdod - Tartan was one of the by Sargon, the King of Assyria. Sargon generals of . Ashdod, was a general mentioned in 2 Kings called by the Greeks Azotus, was a 18:17. It seems that this Assyrian king seaport on the Mediterranean, reigned during the time of King between Askelon and Ekron, and not . However, Assyrians were far from Gaza (Reland's "Palestine," well known to possess many names. iii.) It was one of the five cities of the Exactly who was this Sargon is difficult Philistines assigned to the tribe of to ascertain with a degree of certainty. but never conquered by them Barnes commented, “This (Josh. 13:8; 15:46-47). The temple of prophecy occupies this single chapter. Dagon stood here; and here the ark of Its design and scope is not difficult to God was brought after the fatal battle understand. The time when it was of Eben-ezer (1 Sam. 5:1, following.) It delivered is designated in v. 1, and sustained many sieges, and was was manifestly in the reign of regarded as an important place in Hezekiah. The Assyrian empire had respect to Palestine, and also to extended its conquests over Syria, Egypt. It was taken by Tartan, and Damascus, and Ephraim or (2 remained in the possession of the Kings 18:9-12.) The king of Assyria Assyrians until it was besieged by sent Tartan to take possession of Psammetichus, the Egyptian king who Ashdod, or Azotus, the maritime key of took it after a siege of twenty-nine Palestine, and there was evident years (Herod. ii. 157). It was about danger that the Assyrians would thirty miles from Gaza. It is now a overthrow the government of Judah, small village called "Esdud." It was and secure also the conquest of Egypt. besieged and taken by Tartan as In these circumstances of danger, the preparatory to the conquest of Egypt; main reliance of Judah was on aid that and if the king who is here called they hoped to derive from Egypt and "Sargon" was Sennacherib, it is Ethiopia. (v.5) Alone they would not be probable that it was taken before he able to repel the Assyrians. They relied threatened . on that aid rather than on God. To “Sargon the king of Assyria - "recall" them from this, to show them Who this ‘Sargon’ was is not certainly the vanity of such dependence, and to known. Some have supposed that it lead them to rely on God, Isaiah was was Sennacherib; others that it was sent to them to be a sign; or to indicate Shalmaneser the father of by symbolic action what would be the

2 DHW LESSON 20 ISAIAH 20

Sennacherib, and others that it was Does it mean that Isaiah was Esar-haddon the successor of really naked without a stitch of clothing Sennacherib - (Michaelis). on him? Isaiah was wearing a Rosenmuller and Gesenius suppose sackcloth when this command was that it was a king who reigned issued as Tartan was capturing "between" Shalmaneser and Ashdod and on his way to Egypt. He Sennacherib. Tartan is known to have was commanded to go and loose his been a general of Sennacherib (2 sackcloth from off his loins. This may Kings 18:17) and it is natural to probably refer to only the lower portion suppose that he is here intended. of his body being naked rather than his Jerome says that Senacherib had entire body. That he was to expose his seven names, and Kimchi says that he buttocks is certain as this was what the had eight; and it is not improbable that LORD declared will happen to the ‘Sargon’ was one of those names. Egyptians and Ethiopians in verse 4. Oriental princes often had several The word for naked could also refer to names; and hence, the difficulty of partial nakedness as well as full identifying them.” nakedness as was the case with Adam Ashdod was located along the and Eve. Isaiah was probably only Way of the Sea which links naked from the waist down with his Mesopotamia to Egypt. It was either go inner tunic intact. This meant that through Israel and Judah to reach every time Isaiah went out and do his Egypt or simply march through “walkabout” he would be naked as Philistine territory which was what the explained above. When he was at Assyrian King had instructed Tartan to home for his meals, sleep and rest, he do. Ashdod stood in his way and had would be properly dressed. to be captured before he reached He was also told to take off his Egypt. So Ashdod was taken. How shoe from off his foot. Then he was to long it took, the Bible does not say. walk naked and barefoot. Bare feet Isaiah’s Naked Revelation symbolizes one who is mourning and The ministry of a prophet is an in captivity. Therefore by his life he unenviable calling in many ways. demonstrated to Egypt and Ethiopia There is none more so than when he is that they would be stripped naked and called to demonstrate God’s will or humiliated by the Assyrians and would revelation by means of his life. In the become slaves to the Assyrians. case of Hosea it was to marry a harlot, Pertaining to the issue of and Jeremiah was commanded by the Isaiah's nakedness, John Calvin LORD not to marry. Here Isaiah was argues for total nakedness. He wrote, ordered to walk naked and barefoot “A question arises, was this actually before all Israel. The word for naked is done, or was it merely and simply a the same word used in Genesis 2 to vision which he told to the people? The describe the nakedness of Adam and general opinion is, that the Prophet Eve (Genesis 2:25). never went naked, but that this was

3 DHW LESSON 20 ISAIAH 20 exhibited to him in a vision, and only symbol. Nor is it superfluous that it is once. They allege as a reason, that on immediately added, He did so. I am account of heat and cold, and other therefore of opinion that Isaiah walked inconveniences of the weather, he naked whenever he discharged the could not have walked naked during office of a prophet, and that he the whole period of three years. What uncovered those parts which could be if we should say that the Prophet wore beheld without shame.” clothes at home, and also in public, Sometimes it is our own sense unless when he wished to come forth of modesty and modern day decorum to teach, and that on such occasions that dictates our understanding of the he was accustomed to present to the biblical text. This should not be. Calvin people a spectacle of nakedness? I is right to make his assessment and pay little attention to the argument, that conclusion. Isaiah had to do this for he was unable to endure heat and the next 3 years. For the message to cold; for God, who commanded him to be effectively understood, such do this, could easily strengthen and amazing commands had to be carried protect him. But they assign another by God’s prophet. He is not supposed reason, that nakedness would have to add or subtract from the Word of the been unbecoming in a Prophet. I LORD. Here he is required to not add answer, this nakedness was not more and subtract from what the LORD unbecoming than circumcision, which demands of his life! It must have been irreligious men might consider to be difficult for him to do! the most absurd of all sights, because it made an exposure of the uncomely Egypt and Ethiopia will be Naked parts. Yet it must not be thought that By way of Isaiah’s picturesque the Prophet went entirely naked, or demonstration of the LORD‘s message without covering those parts which to Egypt and Ethiopia, the LORD said, would present a revolting aspect. It that “like as my servant Isaiah . . .” was enough that the people This was a solemn reminder to all understood what the Lord was doing, prophets that their heart, soul and and were affected by it as something mind, and lives truly belong to the extraordinary.” LORD. He owns and does what He wants with them for His glory and to Calvin continues, “I am led to form this accomplish His purposes. Isaiah was opinion by what is here said, "By the the LORD’s servant and he must obey hand of Isaiah;" for although this mode his LORD as a faithful servant. It is not of expression frequently occurs his right to choose what he wants to elsewhere, still we never find it where obey what he does not want to obey. it does not imply something emphatic, Whatever the LORD dictates, he must to describe the effect produced. He obey. The LORD made it abundantly places himself in the midst between clear here that Isaiah walking around God and his countrymen, so as to be naked and bare feet for 3 years was the herald of a future calamity, not only the message to Egypt and Ethiopia. in words, but likewise by a visible

4 DHW LESSON 20 ISAIAH 20

This public demonstration of Isaiah’s Ethiopians captives, young and old, was a sign and wonder – miracle to naked and barefoot, even with their Egypt and Ethiopia. They could not buttocks uncovered, to the shame of miss this message. The three years is Egypt.” The victory of the king of obviously not to be understood as Assyria over the Egyptians and literally walked for three years without Ethiopians is total and complete. He sleep or food or clothing. The three will lead them like cattle away from years referred to a ministry of their homeland to any place he nakedness and barefoot for that desires. They will become captured duration. Just like when a person is slaves. Young and old alike would be said to have studied for three years in taken. The Assyrians will respect no a Bible College. It does not that he persons in their captivity. They will be kept on studying non-stop for all that publicly humiliated as they walk time! As and when Isaiah conducted through towns and cities with their his ministry he was naked and buttocks exposed and barefoot. The barefoot! physical pain and humiliation would be Just as Isaiah was naked and unbearable. The Assyrians method of barefoot so will Egypt and Ethiopia be. taming their captured nations was to Egypt and Ethiopia are located to the transport some of their enemies to south of Israel and Judah. When either other nations and get them to Judah or Israel faced a northern intermarry and practice syncretistic enemy it was natural for them to call worship. This way they would soon on these southern powers to help them lose their identity. militarily. They would pay them money This was precisely what they or gold and hire them as mercenaries did to Israel when they defeated and to deal with their enemies in battle. captured the Israelites (northern Israel and Judah are God’s people. kingdom) in 722 B.C. This was the For them to turn to heathen nations for origin of the Samaritans who became help instead of turning to God is an a well known people in the gospels. insult to God. The condemnation of They were half Jews and half Gentiles these nations was more for the benefit and hated by both the pure Jews and of Israel and Judah than anyone else! the Gentiles. They were outcasts that In other words these nations cannot were considered unclean by the help anyone as they cannot even help Israelites so much so that they would themselves when the Assyrians attack rather make a long detour around them! They would be thoroughly Samaria than to go through Samaria defeated and destroyed as nakedness when they travelled to and from and barefoot men and women would Jerusalem to Galilee. emphasise. The result is that they shall be This understanding is attested afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia and by verse 4 which says, “So shall the their expectation, and of Egypt their king of Assyria lead away the glory. The identity of “they” here has to Egyptians prisoners, and the

5 DHW LESSON 20 ISAIAH 20 refer to “the Israelites and Jews.” Both PRACTICAL VALUE of these nations were prone to appeal The Prophet is a Man Belonging to these southern nations for military to God support. However, when these nations Every believer is a prophet today. are soundly defeated by the Assyrians As long as he serves the LORD, and they will become afraid as their only teaches and preaches God’s Word he source of help is gone. The word for is a prophet. He must rightly divide the ashamed can also mean confounded. Word of truth. With this right They would be lost or at wits end. understanding and declaration of Their expectation from these two God’s Word he becomes a modern nations will be dashed. Their glory has day prophet. This is not to be disappeared like the dew in the heat of associated with the Charismatics’ the noonday sun. claim of modern days prophets where The inhabitants of this isle in they add to Scriptures by their verse 6 refer to the people of God. nebulous claims of “God speaking” to They were surrounded by the them daily outside of the Bible. Mediterranean Sea to the west, the True prophets today preach only Ammonites to the east, the Moabites from the Bible. Just as Isaiah of old and Edomites to the south, and the belongs entirely to the LORD, so do all Syrians and Assyrians to the the true prophets today. They are immediate north. The land of the forbidden to preach their opinions and people of God was really like an island ideas. They are to preach only God’s surrounded by hostile enemies. They Word. Thus saith the LORD and not shall say, “Behold, such is our man! Therefore whatever the LORD expectation, whither we flee for help to demands of him he must obey and do. be delivered from the king of Assyria: Isaiah was an exemplary prophet to and how shall we escape?” The obey such a severe command from the people of God are boxed in. They have LORD! He died to self. Only the glory nowhere else to turn to for help when of the LORD mattered to him. He these nations are decimated by the might humiliate himself and be Assyrians! Now will they look up to the scorned by the people he ministered to LORD? This was exactly the kind of but as long as the LORD was pleased circumstances the LORD will reduce with him, that is all that mattered. His people to when they have gone The LORD Renders His Disobedient wayward. They must realize that as People Helpless God’s people it is a sin and an insult to When God’s children who bear the LORD to turn to others especially His holy Name live in sin, He will heathens for help rather than to the chastise them to bring them back to LORD! Himself. This truth is also taught in Hebrews 12. The people of God must not forget whose name they carry. To bear the Name of God means to reflect

6 DHW LESSON 20 ISAIAH 20

His nature and attribute. To do This does not mean that sinful otherwise is to misrepresent God to a men cannot do the work of God when world in sin and darkness. They need the LORD moves their hearts to the true light of Christ to shine through contribute. This was the case when their lives. Instead dark light shines God moved the hearts of the king of forth when God’s people live in sin! Persia in the days of Nehemiah and To cause God’s people to turn Ezra to provide material free to rebuild back to Him, the LORD will have to the Temple of God. The difference is render His people totally helpless. This one of asking. Unbelievers might give is the stubbornness in man that they tithes and offerings, and place them have to be rendered totally helpless anonymously into the offering bags before they realise they have sinned without prompting. In this way the against God. Every avenue that man LORD can use their gifts for the leans on or turns to for help and ministry. Church building projects must solitude in times of trouble will be be done through the tithes and destroyed by God. This way His offerings of God’s people only. AMEN. people have to look up when the enemies are banging on their door! Do not wait until the LORD DAILY READINGS & DISCUSSION destroys every vestige of help in our QUESTIONS lives before we learn. The best way is obedience out of love rather than chastisement! Daily Readings Turning to Heathens for Help MONDAY: Isaiah 20:1-6 Instead of God is a Sin TUESDAY: Isaiah 20:1-6 The people of God constantly fail WEDNESDAY: Isaiah 20:1-6 to remember that turning to outsiders for help when God is only a prayer THURSDAY: Isaiah 20:1-6 away is a sin. They insult the LORD. FRIDAY: Isaiah 20:1-6 They bear His name and for them to go to others who worship idols to help them in the work of God is to tell the Discussion Questions world that God is too weak to and He 1. Do you see yourself as a prophet of needs the help of idols to assist Him. God? Explain your answer. This is blasphemy! The LORD is all- powerful and He is the only one and ______true living God. There is none beside ______Him. All spiritual ministries in church ______and in the lives of the people of God ______must be done by God only and not ______through sinful men. ______

7 DHW LESSON 20 ISAIAH 20

______2. Are you prepared to do whatever ______the LORD asks of you the way ______Isaiah obeyed the LORD? Is there anything that the LORD asks of you that you would not do? Explain 5. Have you been embarrassed or your answer. persecuted for Christ’s sake ______before? Please share your ______experience if any. Which is worse, ______embarrassment or persecution? ______3. If the LORD punishes the Gentiles ______because of believers who asked them for help, is it not the believers’ fault that they are punished? 6. Have you felt boxed in before ______where you felt so totally and ______completely helpless in a situation? ______Please share your experience. ______Should Christians feel this way at ______all? ______4. Is the LORD the first person you ______usually ask first for help or is it ______man? Is it wrong for an employee ______to ask unbelievers to help him in his work? Is it wrong for a Christian kindergarten in a church to ask outsiders to teach their children? ______

8 DHW LESSON 20 ISAIAH 20

7. What lessons can you learn from this chapter about God’s Word and about yourself? ______

9